Karen L West, Author

EARNED BOOKY AWARD FOR MOST

Katie understands why her mother has to leave. Understanding doesn’t make it hurt any less.

When her Navy mother deploys, ten-year-old Katie stays behind with Aunt Milley.

At first, Milley promises they’ll have fun. But caring for a child turns out to be very different from being the fun aunt. As the days pass, Katie becomes more independent than she should have to be, quietly getting herself ready for school, missing her mother, and pretending everything is fine.

Then a strange cat begins appearing near the house.

Patch is no ordinary cat. With his unusual markings, six-toed paws, and an uncanny ability to understand exactly what Katie needs, he becomes the friend she didn’t know she was waiting for.

But Patch can’t make Katie’s problems disappear.

Instead, he helps her discover something more important: courage doesn’t always mean being brave by yourself. Sometimes it means telling someone when you’re lonely, asking for help, and trusting that the people who love you can learn to do better.

As Katie begins to speak up, Aunt Milley begins to understand what caring for her niece really means, and the military families around them show both of them that deployment is something no family has to face alone.

Katie and Patch is a heartfelt illustrated story about military children, family, friendship, asking for help, and the unexpected places where courage can be found.

Readers who enjoy heartfelt stories like Brave Like Me by Barbara Kerley, Sometimes Love by Katrina Moore, and Nimbus by Jan Eldredge may enjoy Katie and Patch.